(Springfield-jm) – Revenues at Illinois casinos in July hit their highest mark in nearly a decade. According to the Illinois Gaming Board, Illinois casino revenue for July was about $133 million, an increase of 9% from June. The July cumulative revenue total for the state’s 13 commercial casinos is the highest since March 2014, when it was $138 million.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Tired of having to renew your fishing license every year? You won’t have to starting in 2024. A new state law creates a fishing, trapping, hunting or sportsmen’s combination license that’s good for three years. It was sponsored back in May by Senator Neil Anderson of Andulusia…

 

 

State Senator Neil Anderson of Andulusia. The three-year license won’t be at a discounted rate. It will cost three times the amount of the one year license. The law takes effect January 1st.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 2195, also known as the “So Kids Can Move” initiative, which will allow thousands of children and youth with limb loss or limb differences to afford prosthetic care that enables them to participate in physical activities. The legislation requires insurance coverage for medically necessary prosthetic or custom orthotic devices to maximize the patient’s whole-body health and function. It amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code and codifies that with respect to an enrollee at any age, coverage of a prosthetic or custom orthotic device shall be provided. This legislation makes Illinois just the fourth state in the nation to pass this act.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Fair is offering some bargains this year to help families save money. Manager Rebecca Clark says the event is already the most affordable state fair in the midwest, and new promotions will get visitors an even better deal. One is for Tuesday…

 

 

State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark. There’s also ways to save money on carnival rides. The mega pass or the jumbo pass is good for unlimited rides all 11 days of the fair. The jumbo version includes the giant slide. There’s also the bargain bracelet for one day of unlimited rides for $35. More details are online at: state fair dot illinois dot gov.

 

(Gilman-jm) – Sweet corn stands across Central Illinois are finally starting to open after a long and dry summer delayed the corn harvest. Farmers have been feeling the effects of the weather all season. In Gilman, Parkside Farmer Stand only just started to sell its sweet corn, whereas in a regular year, they would have had their product available in mid-July. A cold spring also delayed his planting, which led to a prolonged harvest. In addition, the drought affected some of the crops. Parkside Farm Stand also sells pumpkins in the fall as well, but those are expected to be ready on time.

 

(Gibson City–jc)  Classic Hits Band 38 Special is set to perform in Ford County on Saturday August 19th. The 3rd annual Gibson Area Hospital Summer Bash takes place in downtown Gibson City. This is a free concert. There are some VIP ticket areas. Gibson Area Hospital Event Spokesperson Bill Kirby says this year’s choice was an easy one…

 

 

Gibson Area Hospital Event Spokesperson Bill Kirby. The group “Winger” will also perform on the 19th in Gibson City. 

 

(Urbana-jm) – A convicted murderer who was on parole for a 1997 killing was arrested in Urbana Monday after police said he fired shots from a stolen gun. 

On Monday at 9:05 p.m., Urbana police responded to Beech St. and Romine St. for a report of shots fired. Officers did find a shell casing near a porch of a residence in the 1400 block of Beech St. More shell casings were recovered in the driveway, and one was later recovered in the home. Urbana officers made contact with an occupant of the residence, identified as 43-year-old Eduardo Carrillo. Police said Carrillo was in possession of ammunition and a 9mm pistol that was reported stolen out of Kankakee. Carrillo is a felon and is on parole for a 1997 murder conviction. He was arrested for Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, Reckless Discharge of a Firearm and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

 

(Urbana-jm) – A woman from Urbana is under arrest after police said she stabbed her boyfriend during a domestic dispute on Monday. Officials said Dewandee Carter, 66, admitted to officers that she stabbed her 69-year-old boyfriend after their dispute turned violent. The stabbing is believed to have happened around 11 a.m. outside an apartment building in the area of Colorado Avenue and Cottage Grove Avenue. The victim walked into a business on nearby Philo Road and reported being stabbed; officers found him there when they responded. He had a half-inch laceration to his arm, which medical personnel evaluated on the scene. Officials said Carter was identified in the investigation and she was found near the scene of the stabbing. She was arrested on charges of aggravated domestic battery and was taken to the Champaign County Jail.

 

(Washington-jm) – Rains and cooler weather have combined to boost the condition ratings for the soybean crop. Gary Crawford reports…

 

(Melvin–jc)  –  The annual fundraiser for Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley is set for Saturday August 26th at the Ford County fairgrounds in Melvin. The event starts at 4pm with a silent auction.  Event Spokesperson Larry Abbe says hundreds of items, something for everyone, will be available…

 

 

Knight for Christ Event Spokesperson Larry Abbe.  Along with the silent auction, a live auction, bidding frenzy and heads or tails, also highlight the evening. Tickets are available by calling the school in Buckley, Abbe Insurance or WPXN.

 

(Chicago-jm) – City of Chicago officials are refusing to turn over records detailing how they spent more than $100 million to care for migrants that have arrived. Migrants have been bused to the city since August of last year, with nearly 12,000 asylum seekers making the journey. According to a Chicago television station, the Chicago Office of Budget and Management had denied requests for spending records. An official for the city said there were no records. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is urging more minority Illinoisans to sign up to give the gift of life. This is National Minority Donor Awareness Month. It’s a chance to emphasize the importance of registering to become an organ and tissue donor, says Secretary Giannoulias….

 

 

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. About 4 thousand people are waiting for an organ in Illinois, and more than 60 percent of them are racial or ethnic minorities. Giannoulias says it’s easy to sign up at: life goes on dot com.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Community college major credits will soon be able to transfer to all Illinois public colleges and universities. The Illinois Community College Board believes a new law will help equalize the value of hard work students put in. There are already mechanisms in place requiring credits to transfer for general education courses. However, some students transferring to universities are stuck repeating courses for their specific major in order to get their degree. The plan also creates a new panel for education degrees. Sponsors said this will help community college students have an accelerated path to a teaching degree.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois’s state flag may be redesigned under a new law. The law creates the Illinois Flag Commission, which will explore whether the current flag should be replaced and potential designs. It was sponsored by Senator Doris Turner of Springfield, who wants the public to get involved…

 

 

State Senator Doris Turner of Springfield. The group will select up to 10 new designs by September of next year and submit a report to lawmakers by December 2024. The current state flag is white and features the great seal of Illinois.

 

(Danville-jm) – Veterans, caregivers and their families are now able to navigate the campus of VA Illiana in Danville a little easier, thanks to two new courtesy shuttles. The service is being run by the Illiana’s Center for Development and Civic Engagement. Volunteers will drive zero-emissions gem carts that will take people anywhere they want or need to go on the VA’s campus. The shuttle service will run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 

(Paxton–jc Several Paxton Area groups have put together a PBL School Clothing Swap set for Saturday in the city. The Paxton American Legion, Legion Auxiliary and the First Lutheran Church continue to seek donations of school clothes now until the event on Saturday. Event Spokesperson Rebecca Rutledge says donations are needed…

 

 

PBL School Clothing Swap Event Spokesperson Rebecca Rutledge. Questions may be forwarded to Rutledge at the Veteran’s Information Center in the State Street Mall in Paxton

 

(Urbana-jm) – A man was arrested after police said he broke a window at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Urbana Monday. Police were called to the church at 708 S. Main St. for a criminal damage report. A window, valued at $750, was broken. The incident took place in the late-night hours of August 4. Police viewed surveillance video and said they were later able to identify the offender, 25-year-old Trevon Bailey, who lives in Urbana. Bailey was located, and police said he admitted that he accidentally broke the window after becoming frustrated about not getting an answer at the door when he knocked.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Illinois is working towards overcoming the teaching shortage in schools by removing the often-criticized edTPA requirement for education programs. This is due to legislation filed by State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City that was recently signed into law. This new law will make it easier for prospective teachers to start their career in the classroom. Students who plan to become teachers are no longer required to pass the heavily criticized edTPA standard. edTPA is routinely pointed to as one of the major roadblocks for new teachers and has been cited as a contributing factor in the ongoing teacher shortage. The requirement is expensive, takes significant time away from in-classroom training, and is often described as being ineffective at gauging the potential of prospective teachers. edTPA has also been blamed for keeping diverse teachers out of classrooms.Senate Bill 1488, filed by Bennett, would waive the edTPA requirement through August 31, 2025.

 

(Washington-jm) – The nation's corn crop condition improved during this past week. Gary Crawford reports…